You are probably here because you are trying to figure out how crazy I am for turning down some good money and a bomb title, or you are here because you are facing this tough decision yourself. Regardless of the reason, I am here to give you clarification, guidance and help with making choices similar to this in the future because, lets be honest, making this choice was NOT easy.

Before I received the offer.

If you are a loyal follower of my blog, then you already know that I began working in corporate and in my career field last September, which means it’s been a year since I’ve been climbing this corporate latter. I received a few raises and higher titles all within the past 11 months as well. Now, I started a new job four months ago with a global communications agency and it has been going very well. I am now able to work on issues that mean something to me, impacts everyone in the world, and I am actually valued on my expertise of being a black woman in America… can’t go too wrong with that.

After scoring my new position, many other jobs were offering me positions but I declined them all because I was so excited to be working in an area of passion for me, African-American health.

How I received the offer.

An associate of mine who I previously worked with, and is in a very high place (I can’t go into too much detail), contacted me and offered me a position with their company. I already knew the background of the company and the job offer seemed so perfect. Of course, after hearing all of the amazing benefits that came along with it, my first instinct was to jump and say YES. What did I have to lose? I spoke with my close family and friends about it and they were all excited as well and thought I should take the job too. Trips on me! Ha.

The decision process.

Remember when I said “I knew” the background of the company, and in my opinion, many thing were shady even though I knew it probably wouldn’t affect me (and that was me just being optimistic). Anyhow, thinking of leaving my current company after working for only two months bothered me and I couldn’t help but think about the fact that I finally found a great work-life balance, which I knew for a fact I wouldn’t have at the company I was being offered a job at.

I am able to get off of work and apply myself to my personal business ventures, which I wasn’t able to do before, and I now have more time to dedicate towards my family and friends, as well as work from home or abroad whenever I like.

Even though my first instinct was to say yes, and all of my family and friends were thinking that I was crazy to have thoughts of turning down such a great offer, something in me knew that I should ask more questions before saying yes, so I did. With only one day to make the choice of taking the job (which was too soon for me to make a decision anyways), I sent an email and asked what I would be doing.

Now, when I tell you that seeing things on paper brings things into perspective… it really does. The tasks they wanted me to do on a consistent basis were way too much and they consolidated two full-time jobs into one, which means I would definitely be saying bye to having energy to put towards building my own legacy… so I knew I had to do some deep soul digging and think super hard on this.

How I came to the decision of NO

To take the job just because of money, or to not take the job so that I can build my own empire was the debate I was having in my head. I called all of my friends and asked everyone to make the decision for me, which became super frustrating because NO ONE would make the decision for me. My mother said yes because of the money, but she wasn’t thinking about everything else. All of the other people on my “executive life board” were telling me to figure it out myself. I soon realized that calling everyone and looking for them to make the decision for me was the wrong thing to do, so I retreated and took some time to myself.

In this time, I prayed heavily to God asking for guidance and meditated for two full hours (I know this is dramatic, but you have to make every extreme life decision carefully). Now, let me remind you that I only had one day to make the decision… and this was the day of. I spent the first day wasting time asking everybody else what they thought, but I learned my lesson there (sorry to my beautiful family and friends, but let’s be real… only I can be in charge of making choices that will mold my future).

After praying and meditating, my mind felt clear and I was actually able to think. I became in-tune with my heart and soul, and I felt such angst and turmoil about the opportunity that was being offered to me. My heart knew that I wouldn’t be happy with what they were asking me to do and that I would just be doing it for the money. My soul knew that I shouldn’t allow money to control my life and decisions, and that if I did allow money to rule me then I would become a lost soul and an empty vessel.

Also, I know that my overall goal is to not work for a company my whole life, but to own my own and start something for my family to takeover down the line. The goal is to bring wealth to many generations to come.

With that being said, I found all the reason to turn down a higher salary and title because my life goal is more than that. I am not here to impress and I have a feeling that there will be many greater opportunities to come my way… that was only the first (learned that from Master P… lol). #KnowYourWorth

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Washington, DC, USA

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I am a Savannah State University grad with a bachelors in Public Relations and Advertising with a minor in Entrepreneurship. I was born in New Orleans, LA, but raised in Washington, DC, where my family are natives. Since the age of 14, I am able to say that I have worked at over 12 different companies, which led me to knowing that I am good with working with people and in communications. I love writing (when I have the time) and run two businesses on top of a full-time career in public relations.
When I have free time, you can find me plotting on my next business ventures, visiting different hole-in-the-wall restaurants, spending time with family and friends, or catching up on my favorite television shows that I rarely have time to watch.
Follow me on Instagram & Twitter: @queenshalaya